Should Mothers Breastfeed In Public? Readers Respond

SPRINGFIELD, VA -- A breastfeeding mother being asked to leave church services at Summit Church in Springfield has ignited a debate about breastfeeding in public places.

Annie Peguero, a mother of two from Dumfries, said in a Facebook Live video she was breastfeeding during Summit Church services when a woman urged her to go to the baby room. Even before services, Peguero was breastfeeding outside the baby room when a church worker tried to cover her up with a blanket.

When Peguero asked, church leadership told her its policy was to discourage public breastfeeding because it might make new and male churchgoers uncomfortable.

»What do you think of the church's policy of urging mothers to breastfeed in private? Let us know in the comments below.

Reader Ruby Jackson backed the church's response, saying, "They have a baby room specifically set up so she can breast feed to her hearts content with a video set up so she doesn't miss the service. A church does not receive state funds and they can set what ever rules they want when it comes to modesty." The mother added of her own experience, "I breast fed both of my children, but I also respected the fact that a blanket goes a long way in some circumstances."

Reader Marge has a similar response. "I breastfeed both my babies and when in a public place I always used a cover up, because it shows respect for other people's feelings," she wrote in an article comment.

Reader TL22 seemed to agree, saying, "If your child doesn't like to be covered up then breastfeed in a place you don't have to cover up, like the baby room, but you have to be mindful and respectful of those around you as well, because it isn't just your space, it's everyone else's who is there as well."

But Peguero believes her rights were violated. Virginia state laws allow mothers to breastfeed in public and private, and breastfeeding is exempt from public indecency laws.

"I so love going to church there, but I'll never set foot in there again, and it makes me really sad," she said through tears in the Facebook Live video.

Greater Alexandria Patch follower Kala Lucila McRae blasted the church's justification on Facebook. "If that makes them uncomfortable then they need to ask why a mom feeding her kid is making them feel uncomfortable," she said.

Patch commenter Reacher Rochelle Hannon-Vaughan echoed the thought, saying, "I think we have to reteach humans that nursing is not a sexual or a dirty activity and neednt be hidden. And church is a good place to start."

Reader Mary Sanchez added that she breastfed her daughter wherever needed. "I wholeheartedly support Ms. Peguero's right to breastfeed her child wherever it's needed," she said. "That said, if this church is not accepting of that - she should just move on."

See Peguero's full response on breastfeeding here.

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